Lectures
| Raytheon 2003-2009 | Verizon 1999-2009 |
| Sears 1998-2002 WGBH Forum | William S. Woodside 1973-1991 |
For an organization to create and sustain an ethically responsible culture, perhaps the most critical element is what we call “ethical leadership:” the quality of leading others by a strong ethical example, encouraging them to value and practice integrity — for the greater good of the organization and those who depend on it or are affected by its actions. Ethical leadership can and should be the culmination of a learning process that shows us how to raise our level of ethical awareness, then to reason and act in an ethically appropriate and effective way. CEOs can show ethical leadership but so can individuals at any level of an organization — simply by the way they always try to do the right thing.
In its efforts to inspire ethical leadership, while sparking a vital discourse around ethics in business, the Center for Business Ethics has created lectureship programs in which prominent corporate leaders and ethical thinkers come to Bentley to share insights and ideas with students, faculty and invited guests.
Raytheon Lectureship in Business Ethics
Since 2003, with the support of the Raytheon Company, CBE’s CEO Lecture in Business Ethics series has become the preeminent event of its kind on campus and off. The series given twice annually consistently brings some of the most thoughtful and influential corporate leaders in the country to share their insights and experiences pertaining to the varied role of ethics in the conduct of contemporary business. The lectures explore not only what should be done, but inside stories on the effects of lapses in business ethics. These lectures are published as monographs that are widely distributed and are made available through the CBE website. Moreover, in most cases, videos of these lectures can be viewed around the world through Bentley’s collaboration with the WGBH Forum Network.
Sears Lectureship in Business Ethics
Established in 1998 with the generous support of Sears, Roebuck and Co., the Sears Lectureship was given twice annually until the end of 2002. The series gained considerable prestige on account of the caliber of CEO speakers it attracted and the high quality of their remarks. Monographs containing the text of each lecture and highlights of question-and-answer sessions have been published by the Center for Business Ethics.
Verizon Visiting Professorship
in Business Ethics and Information Technology
Inaugurated in 1999 with support from Verizon Communications, this annual series brings distinguished ethics professors to Bentley for a week to deliver a public lecture, make a number of class visits and facilitate a faculty workshop. Within Bentley’s technology-intensive learning environment, the Verizon Visiting Professor provides opportunities to explore ideas and develop academic thinking at the intersection of business ethics and information technology.
In 2003, Bentley joined the WGBH Forum Network as a corporate partner. The WGBH Forum Network is an audio and video streaming web site devoted to presentations, thought-provoking lectures and panel discussions hosted by distinguished cultural and educational organizations.
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